Collectors’ corner: Omega at Baselworld 2018

Every four years, Omega has its element of surprise at Baselworld undermined in part by the Olympics. That’s because, as the Games’ official timekeeper since 1932, it has to announce the pieces before the Swiss watch extravaganza takes place. Thus, we already know about the Omega Seamaster Olympic Games Gold Collection for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

They symbolise the three winning medals presented to athletes at the event, and feature three different types of gold for their 39.5mm cases: 18K yellow gold, 18K Sedna™ gold and 18K Canopus™ gold. 

Also bound to be seen at Baselworld is the Seamaster Olympic Games Collection, which celebrates the brand’s long service to the games through five unique watches. Designed to represent the different colours of the rings of the Olympics’ logo, they will be available in black, yellow, green, blue or red.

That said, the big news for Omega-watchers is always the year’s new Speedmaster Professional. The ‘Moon Watch’ has provided Omega with more possibilities and more collector potential than anything it has ever created, and the company has never failed to turn up with handsome variations on a design that dates back to 1957. 

Because last year was the 60th Anniversary and Omega celebrated it with a plethora of pieces, one wonders if this year might be a quiet one for the Speedy. That, however, would be to ignore 2018 being the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 8…

Seamasters won’t enjoy a new Bond film this year, which is always an occasion for a new model, but that won’t keep Omega from finding some cool new finish or material to apply to their hugely-respected diving watch. 

As Seamaster 300 values trebled overnight thanks to its appearance in the last Bond film, the name has never had greater currency. All-black? More ceramics? A spot-on replica of the original? Watch this space.

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Omega website and the Baselworld website